In a recent development, Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the accidental shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. However, in a split verdict, a 12-member jury in Santa Fe declined to convict her on evidence tampering charges. The decision came after less than three hours of deliberation.
The incident occurred on October 21, 2021, during the filming of Rust when an old-fashioned revolver being handled by actor Alec Baldwin discharged, fatally striking Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Assistant director David Halls had handed the weapon to Baldwin, assuring him it did not contain live ammunition. Nonetheless, the prop firearm discharged, revealing that five live rounds were mixed in with dummy rounds on set. The origin of the live rounds remains unknown.
Gutierrez-Reed, the 26-year-old Arizona woman responsible for overseeing firearms on set, now faces up to 18 months in prison for her role in Hutchins’ death. The jury’s decision not to convict her on evidence tampering charges adds a layer of complexity to the legal aftermath of the tragic incident.
During the trial, prosecutors emphasized Gutierrez-Reed’s alleged carelessness in handling firearms and ammunition on the set of the low-budget Western. She maintained that she believed she loaded Baldwin’s gun with “dummy” rounds. The defense, on the other hand, argued that Gutierrez-Reed was a scapegoat for larger safety issues on set beyond her control. Jason Bowles, representing the armorer, pointed fingers at Baldwin, one of the film’s producers, among others.
The verdict raises questions about the broader implications for safety on film sets, especially in low-budget and independent productions. Los Angeles attorney Tre Lovell highlighted that producers, including Baldwin, should not overlook set safety and should refrain from cutting corners. Producers of Rust settled a citation for safety violations, acknowledging a “plain indifference” to the welfare of the cast and crew.
Notably, the conviction of Gutierrez-Reed might influence Baldwin’s trial, scheduled for July. Lovell suggested that Baldwin could use this development to his advantage, as the jury has already found someone responsible for Hutchins’ death. The pressure to convict Baldwin may be alleviated, and his argument that, as an actor, he had no duty regarding set safety, remains unaffected.
The trial also revealed conflicting testimonies, with Halls stating that Gutierrez-Reed handed the gun to Baldwin, contradicting Baldwin’s version. Attorney Miguel Custodio noted that this contradiction could be used against Baldwin in his trial, indicating potential discrepancies in his statements to the police and the public.
The Rust shooting tragedy has led to a conviction for the film’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, highlighting the importance of safety on film sets. As the legal proceedings continue, the industry faces renewed scrutiny regarding firearm safety protocols and the responsibilities of individuals involved in film production.
